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Yoon ticketed for Canada to get work visa for O's

Dan Duquette, Buck Showalter and pitcher Suk-min Yoon talk about the pitcher signing a three-year deal with the Orioles

By Adam Berry and Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Suk-min Yoon will begin the process of obtaining his work visa in Ottawa, Canada, on Monday, and the Orioles hope to get the South Korean right-hander in a Grapefruit League game shortly after he returns.

Yoon threw a live batting-practice session on Feb. 28, pitched in a simulated game on March 2 and threw a side session in the bullpen Sunday before flying north. Without his work visa, Yoon hasn't been able to pitch in Grapefruit League games, and that process in Canada could take three or four days.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wasn't disappointed -- "not at this point," he said -- that Yoon hasn't been able to face opposing hitters as he gets ready for his first Major League season.

"Knowing where he was when he came in, started late, he's kind of running through the same Spring Training program," Showalter said.

The Orioles signed Yoon to a three-year, $5.75 million contract on Feb. 17.